Community garden committees and volunteers from across the Northern Rivers and into South East Queensland gathered at Shara Community Gardens in North Ocean Shores on Saturday, strengthening connections and sharing ideas to help community gardens thrive.
Representatives travelled from Yamba to Coolangatta for the gathering, which brought together volunteers from a diverse range of community gardens to discuss everything from fundraising and membership growth to pest management and community engagement.
The gathering was supported by Northern NSW Local Health District Health Promotion.
Health Promotion Officer Adam Guise said community gardens play an important role in supporting both individual and community wellbeing.
‘Community gardens bring together so many of the foundations of good health. They encourage people to be active, connect with nature, grow fresh food and build meaningful social connections. They’re an important part of creating healthier individuals and stronger communities,’ he said.
Planting seeds
Throughout the day, participants exchanged ideas, explored creative fundraising approaches and shared practical gardening knowledge.
Shara Community Gardens Secretary Alison Bird said the event highlighted both the diversity and shared purpose of community gardens across the region.
‘Every community garden is different, but we’re all working towards the same goals – creating welcoming spaces where people can connect, learn, grow food and contribute to their community,’ she said.
‘It was great to bring together people from across the region to share knowledge, celebrate what’s working and learn from one another. Everyone came away with new ideas and practical insights they could take back to their own community gardens.’
Organisers said the gathering reinforced the value of bringing community gardens together, with participants leaving inspired, better connected and equipped with new ideas to support their local communities.
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